Thoughts On The U.s. Constitution What The Constitution Of The United States Means To Me

September 13, 1987|By Beth Jahreis

The Constitution of the United States, drafted in 1787 by our Founding Fathers at the Constitutional Convention in an effort to strengthen the central government and ratified and adopted in 1788, is a written document that outlines our basic rights as Americans.

The Constitution is much more than just a document. It symbolizes the freedom we experience here in the United States. Not only is it our protection and security against foreign governments, but it is our protection and security against an internal perversion of democratic ideals. The Constitution is the bastion upon which the United States of America, one of the most successful and powerful countries in the world, stands.

Who better to write the Constitution than those who, although young, had known the chains of tyranny -- those who had worked and fought for the freedom of America? In 1787, John Adams described the Constitution as being ''the greatest single effort of national deliberation the world has ever seen.''

The Constitution resulted from the combined intellectual efforts of both scholars of political philosophy and practical politicians. Therefore, the Constitution was written with a clear view of the past, preventing political tragedies from again plaguing our country and threatening our freedom.

Also, realizing that the world would not remain the same, our Founding Fathers allowed for necessary changes in the Constitution by providing for constitutional amendments. However, in order to insure the stability of the nation's basic law, they made the amendment process difficult. Through the years, changes have proved necessary, and the freedom to make them has helped the United States maintain the same system of government for two hundred years.

The Constitution is a very important part of my life. It protects my freedom -- of press, assembly, speech, religion, and petition. It establishes laws and guidelines for me and other citizens, enabling all to live side by side in harmony.

The Constitution stood, and still stands, refuting the obsolescence of monarchy, the tyranny of totalitarianism and the chaos of anarchy. As long as we, the people of the United States, honor and protect the Constitution, it will serve us and our progeny.